From April 2 to April 4, 2025, the BAG-INTEL consortium gathered for a 3-day face-to-face meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, to review the progress of the project, prepare for the mid-term review meeting, and align on upcoming activities. The event, hosted by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (ETCB), brought together over 30 representatives from all partner organisations. Partners who could not attend in person, joined the meeting remotely.
The meeting was opened by the ETCB Deputy Director General in the field of customs, Ms. Ursula Riimaa, who delivered a welcome speech. She acknowledged the consortium’s efforts in advancing AI-driven customs solutions and emphasized the importance of innovation in streamlining border security-related operations. While the project’s primary focus is on improving baggage screening at airports, ETCB is also assessing how its technologies could enhance broader customs control processes.
Following the opening remarks, the consortium held presentations on the progress of technical work packages and updates on the status of various tasks and activities. Each technical partner presented their work and shared insights into plans for the upcoming months. These presentations were followed by interactive brainstorming sessions, where participants discussed challenges and exchanged perspectives on the project’s technical evolution.
One of the highlights of the day was a presentation by Ketil Ottersen, a member of the BAG-INTEL End Users and Stakeholder Advisory Board (EUSAB) who joined the general assembly to engage directly with the consortium, gaining first-hand insights into the project’s advancements. As a BAG-INTEL EUSAB member, Ketil contributes valuable expertise in customs procedures, risk assessment methodologies, and international best practices. His experience ensures that BAG-INTEL’s AI-driven tools align with the needs of customs authorities, enhancing operational efficiency while supporting compliance with global security frameworks.
Day one also covered sessions on communication, dissemination, and exploitation activities, ethics, as well as project coordination and management.
On the second day of the general assembly, the review meeting by the European Commission took place, giving partners an opportunity to present the results of the work and gather valuable feedback.
The final day focused on reviewing the feedback from the Commission’s evaluators and refining the project’s roadmap for the next phase. The consortium also visited Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport. The airport tour provided a valuable opportunity for the consortium to gain further insights into the operational environment, helping partners contextualise the technical solutions under development.
Reflecting on the meeting, ETCB representatives emphasized that this gathering reinforced collaboration among BAG-INTEL partners and helped set clear objectives for the project’s next stage. With strengthened alignment and refined strategies, BAG-INTEL is now well-positioned to advance its mission of enhancing customs operations.